That kind of voter turnout is simply abysmal and is one sign of the low level of civic involvement by Texans, according to one survey.

We know all the excuses for not voting. "I don't have time." "It doesn't make any difference." "I don't know who is running." "I'm disgusted with all of them." And the list goes on.

The excuses may make some people feel justified about failing to vote, but it's really an abdication of responsibility.

Patriotism, I would argue, is not just about standing up when the flag goes by or singing the Star-Spangled Banner or saying "thank you" to a veteran. It's about keeping the tree of democracy watered by participating in the democratic process, including voting.

And yet, voting for many is like pulling teeth. In the 2016 presidential election, the Texas percentage turnout, 55 percent, was a bit higher than normal, but was still below the national average of 61 percent.

The record registration numbers in Texas would seem to promise that Texas voters are about to reverse years of declining turnouts. But there's been disappointment before.

There are lots of ways that voter registration and voting could be made easier. We could have same-day registration on Election Day. Why stop registering voters almost a month before Election Day? Many voters are just now beginning to focus on the candidates and the issues. Many on Election Day may actually want to cast a ballot, but discover the deadline for registering was back on Oct. 9.

Make Election Day a national holiday. Many other countries make Election Day their national focus for the date. No one has to miss work, or rush to the ballot box, or figure out how to squeeze in a vote during a lunch break. Let's make Election Day a national celebration of our democracy, the oldest in the world. Bring out the bands and the red, white and blue bunting. Put fun back into voting.

But the 2018 Texas Civic Health Index says we don't talk much about politics, don't participate much in other kinds of political activities and simply are not good supporters of charitable activities. In short, I think we're about C-plus citizens.

Many of us, of course, are more than generous to charitable causes. Thank God for them because as a whole Texans rank low in the amount of charitable giving. According to the survey done by the several organizations including the Annette Straus Institute for Civic Life at the University of Texas, 46 percent of Texans donate at least $25 a year to a charitable cause. That puts us at 40th in the nation. Utah is the leader at 65 percent.

The survey found that only 23 percent of Texans report that they frequently discuss politics. Only 14 percent have ever contacted a politician. Just 11 percent have ever contributed to a political campaign.

Yet for all that, there's no reasonable excuse for absenting yourself from the voting booth.

Do you pay taxes? You have a reason to vote. Do you have children and grandchildren in school? You have a reason to vote. Do you expect the police or fire department to respond when you have an emergency? You have a reason to vote. Do you hire people for jobs? You have a reason to vote. Do you pay rent, pay city and state sales taxes? You have a reason to vote.

Do you receive Medicare or expect to receive Medicare eventually? You have a reason to vote. Do you pay college tuition or owe a student debt? You have a reason to vote. Do you want a good job with a good wage? You have a reason to vote. Do you pay health insurance or are simply in need of health insurance? You have a reason to vote.

There are excuses not to vote, but there are many more reasons to cast a ballot and to be part of the American celebration of democracy.